Textbooks vs. Teachers?

According to County Commissioner Jerry Stone, Sumner County can afford EITHER textbooks or teachers, but NOT both.

That's the essence of his comments after a recent County Commission workshop on school funding.

The County Commission is to be commended for finally digging in to the details of how school budgets work.  The workshop, instigated by Commission Chair Merrol Hydge and presented by the County Technical Assistance Service from UT, gave Commissioners information on the BEP (the state's school funding formula) and local allocations. 

At meeting's end, however, Stone (the vice-chair of the budget committee) found fault with the School Board for allocating some BEP funds for teachers and then asking the Commission to fund textbooks. 

He then pointed out that the Commission gave the schools extra money for books.  The reality is that the Commission used accounting gimmicks to move some money from capital funds (thus preventing needed improvements at schools like Gallatin High School and Hendersonville High School) to allow them to be used for books.  Thus, no new money was "given" to schools as Stone suggested.

He further failed to explain the utility of textbooks provided to students without teachers to offer instruction.  Or, perhaps he wants the Board of Education to continue providing teachers but not giving those teachers the resources they need to best educate students?